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Google opens up its 3D emoji files
Google is open-sourcing its Noto Emoji 3D set, releasing raw .OBJ files after sharing how it designed the emoji for 3D use.
Image: The Verge
Google is open-sourcing its 3D emoji set, giving developers and creators access to the company’s Noto Emoji 3D files.
As part of World Emoji Day on Friday, Google also shared a bit more about how it approached the design process. The company said that questions that barely matter in 2D become central in 3D — for example, whether a smiley face should be treated as a sphere, a mask, or a flat disc.
Alongside that behind-the-scenes look, Google said it is releasing the full set to the public:
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“We’re handing over raw .OBJ files to the community so they can use them to build immersive VR worlds, indie apps or weird memes.”
The Noto Emoji 3D designs first debuted in May. According to The Verge, the initial reaction was uneasy, summed up with a 😬.
The newly available .OBJ files mean anyone who wants to experiment with Google’s 3D emoji — whether for apps, virtual environments, or internet jokes — can now do so directly.
Design & UX Editor
Yuki believes that a great product is defined by how it feels. She critiques software interfaces, hardware ergonomics, and the philosophy of design in tech. With a background in industrial design, she analyzes the subtle decisions that make tools intuitive or infuriating. She advocates for accessible, human-centric technology.
via The Verge
